ATTN Local Teachers: To sign up for a program in Fall 2020, please use this link. Please keep in mind that our programs are FREE for Nelson County Public Schools as well as any first-time visitors from other school districts. We look forward to working with you!
RVF is excited to offer the following programs for Nelson County Public Schools, surrounding school systems, private schools, and homeschool groups.
We offer four options for programs:
- Classroom visits
- Field trips
- Field days
- After-school clubs and activities
To schedule a program, contact Katrina Broughman at programdirector@rockfishvalley.org.
Important Deadlines:
Friday, July 31st, for fall programs (August-November)
Friday, March 27th, for spring programs (April-May)
Option 1: Classroom Visits
Schedule RVF to come directly to your classroom for various programs for multiple subject areas that focus on environmental education from preschool to high school.
Early Elementary (PreK-2) Classroom Programs
Grade 1: Leave No Trace – 1 hr
Students will investigate and empathize with the importance of leaving no trace through real-life scenarios and kinesthetic movement.
SOL Correlates: Science, PE, English
Grade 1: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! – 1 hr
Students learn/review the three R’s through scientific reasoning and play a variety of games to sort materials then weigh how much they have of each kind.
SOL Correlates: Science
Grade 2: Leave No Trace – 1 hr
Students will investigate and empathize with the importance of leaving no trace through real-life scenarios and kinesthetic movement.
SOL Correlates: Science, PE, English
Grade 2: Rain Gauges – 1 hr
Students learn to read gauges & record data based on their neighborhoods & understand their place in Nelson geography and weather.
SOL Correlates: Science
Grade 2: Identifying Trees – 1 hr
Kids learn to identify different kinds of trees through picture ID and a tree walk. They also will read literature about how to identify trees and complete a crossword puzzle.
SOL Correlates: Science, PE, English
Upper Ed (Grades 3-5) Classroom Programs
Grade 3: Soil Scientists – 1 hr
Students will learn about the importance of soil by identifying different things that depend on soil, the threat of soil erosion, and how to save our soil by planting grass seed.
SOL Correlates: Science; English; Art
Grade 3: Home Sweet Home – 1 hr
Students will build habitat structures for clothespin creatures that include the four elements of air, water, food, and shelter in order for their critter to survive outside.
SOL Correlates: Science; English
Grade 3: Think Like a Scientist – 1 hr
Students learn the basics of the scientific method, use this to identify the parts of a habitat an animal needs to survive (focusing on birds as an example), present these as a group through a simulated scientific conference, & discuss possibilities for how to make their schoolyard a better habitat.
SOL Correlates: Science; English
Grade 4: Hunting for Decomposers – 1 hr
Students learn the importance of decomposers and their role in the ecosystem.
SOL Correlates: Science, Art, English
Grade 4: Haiku Poetry – 1 hr
Students will learn the basics of writing a haiku using nature as their muse, then read their poems aloud to their peers.
SOL Correlates: English
Grade 5: Haiku Poetry – 1 hr
See former description.
SOL Correlates: English
Secondary (Grades 6-12) Classroom Programs
Grades 6-8: Haiku Poetry – 1 hr
Students will learn the basics of writing a haiku using nature as their muse, then read their poems aloud to their peers.
SOL Correlates: English
Grades 6-12: Energy Vampires – 1 hr
Students learn the concept of energy-draining appliances and assess whether there are energy vampires in their classroom/building. They will draw maps to determine where energy vampires are located.
SOL Correlates: Science
Grades 6-12: Soil Scientists – 1 hr
Students will learn about the importance of soil by identifying different things that depend on soil, the threat of soil erosion, and how to save our soil by planting grass seed. They will then write a summary of what they learned and draw a picture of a step they took during this process.
SOL Correlates: Science; English; Art
Grades 6-12: Nature Journaling – 1 hr
Students learn the joy of recording nature through writing & drawing. They will also consider the history of their observed area and incorporate that into their journaling.
SOL Correlates: Science; English; Art; History
Grades 9-12: Descriptive Writing – 1 hr
Students use elements of descriptive writing including figurative language to describe their natural surroundings.
SOL Correlates: English
Custom Classroom Programs
Have an idea for a classroom program that you don’t see listed? Need a certain SOL concept reinforced that your students just aren’t grasping? We are happy to work with you to create unique programs that meet your instructional needs! Please contact Katrina Broughman, our Program Director, at programdirector@rockfishvalley.org for more information about how to make it happen!
To schedule a program, contact Katrina Broughman at programdirector@rockfishvalley.org.
Option 2: Field Trips
Schedule a field trip to RVF! We offer various hands-on, problem-based programs in a variety of subject areas that are sure to leave your students excited about getting out of the classroom and into nature. Field trips are expected to last several hours with a choice of multiple program options.
Early Ed (PreK-2) Field Trip Programs
PreK: Colors in Nature – 1 hr
Students will get different color cards and go on a color walk to find their card’s color.
SOL Correlates: Science
K: Colors in Nature – 1 hr
Students will get different color cards and go on a color walk to find their card’s color. They will also explore the weight and size, position, texture, and shapes of their colored objects through verbal observations.
SOL Correlates: Science
Grade 1: Leave No Trace – 1 hr
Students will investigate and empathize with the importance of leaving no trace through real-life scenarios and kinesthetic movement.
SOL Correlates: Science, PE, English
Grade 2: Leave No Trace – 1 hr
Students will investigate and empathize with the importance of leaving no trace through real-life scenarios and kinesthetic movement.
SOL Correlates: Science; PE, English
Grade 2: Identifying Trees – 1 hr
Kids learn to identify different kinds of trees through picture ID and a tree walk. They also will read literature about how to identify trees and complete a crossword puzzle.
SOL Correlates: Science, PE, English
Upper Ed (Grades 3-5) Field Trip Programs
Grade 3: Spruce Creek Rangers – 1 hr
Students use the scientific method to determine the water quality of Spruce Creek then record their results in writing and through pictures. They will also learn the history of Spruce Creek Park and the effects of Hurricane Camille to the Rockfish Valley.
SOL Correlates: Science; English; Art; History
Grade 3: Soil Scientists – 1 hr
See former description.
SOL Correlates: Science; English; Art
Grade 3: Home Sweet Home – 1 hr
See former description.
SOLs: Science; English
Grade 3: Think Like a Scientist – 1 hr
See former description.
SOL Correlates: Science; English
Grade 4: Hunting for Decomposers – 1 hr
See former description.
SOL Correlates: Science, Art, English
Grade 4: Haiku Poetry – 1 hr
See former description.
SOL Correlates: English
Grade 4: Watershed Scientists – 1 hr
See former description. Students will also learn the concept of a watershed in relation to Spruce Creek Park and the Rockfish River. SOL Correlates: Science; English; Art; History
Grade 5: Haiku Poetry – 1 hr
See former description.
SOL Correlates: English
Grade 5: Spruce Creek Scientists – 1 hr
See former description.
SOL Correlates: Science; English; Art
Secondary (Grades 6-12) Field Trip Programs
Grades 6-8: Haiku Poetry – 1 hr
See previous description.
SOL Correlates: English
Grades 6-12: Nature Journaling – 1 hr
See previous description.
SOL Correlates: Science; English; Art; History
Grade 6-12: Energy Vampires – 1 hr
Students learn the concept of energy-draining appliances & assess whether there are energy vampires at RVF. They will also draw maps to determine where the energy vampires are located.
SOL Correlates: Science, Art
Grades 6-12: Soil Scientists – 1 hr
See previous description.
SOL Correlates: Science; English; Art
Grade 6-12: Rockfish Rangers – 1 hr
Students use the scientific method to determine the water quality of Spruce Creek then record their results in writing and through pictures. They will use aquatic chemistry to collect samples and determine pH, DO, turbidity, and other measurements. They will also learn the history of Spruce Creek Park and the effects of Hurricane Camille to the Rockfish Valley.
SOL Correlates: Science; English; Art; History
Grades 9-12: Descriptive Writing – 1 hr
See previous description.
SOL Correlates: English
Personalized Field Trip Options
Have an idea for a field trip that you don’t see listed? Need a certain SOL concept reinforced that your students just aren’t grasping? We are happy to work with you to create unique field trips that meet your instructional needs! Please contact Katrina Broughman, our Program Director, at programdirector@rockfishvalley.org for more information about how to make it happen!
To schedule a program, contact Katrina Broughman at programdirector@rockfishvalley.org.
Option 3: Field Days
Interested in doing a whole day on a grade-level specific topic or theme (examples include: water, rocks, plants, or animals) with interdisciplinary stations (math, science, language arts, history, art, P.E., music, etc.)? We are happy to work with you to make this happen! This can take place in your school yard, at RVF’s Spruce Creek Park, or at another location with landowner approval.
Contact Katrina Broughman to organize a field day for your school.
Option 4: After School Clubs or Activities
Do you know students who would be interested in voluntarily participating in an after school club or activity? RVF is happy to facilitate! Ideas include, but are not limited to: Green Team, Nature Journaling, Hiking/Outdoor Survival, etc.
Contact Katrina Broughman to assist you with a survey distribution to see what kind of clubs students would be most interested in doing.
